Support and advice is available for deaf people and those with substantial hearing loss.
The service provides specialist social care advice and support for deaf people and people with substantial hearing loss.
Help is also available in providing some special aids and equipment such as flashing light 'doorbells' and vibrating alarm clocks.
Who is eligible
To qualify for this service, you must be deaf or have a substantial hearing loss and have substantial communication difficulties.
How to access the service
A duty service operates Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, 9am to 12 noon at Accesspoint, Laurence House, Catford.
Alternatively, you or your representative, GP or other health professional can write to us by post, fax, minicom, email or SMS (text messages).
If you are unable to talk to us and access our service in any of these ways we can arrange to visit you at home.
FAQ
Can the staff communicate with me in British Sign Language?
Yes. Our staff have to be able to communicate directly with you. The best way of communicating with you may depend on the information that is involved.
Do your staff have a good understanding of Deaf Culture?
Yes. All our staff have direct experience of the Deaf Community - and we have two members of our team who are deaf.
What can you tell me about services for those who have a visual disability as well as being hard of hearing?
Lewisham Council's Communicator Guide project is an innovative scheme set up to help and support people in the borough who have serious problems with both eyesight and hearing.
How does the Communicator Guide scheme work?
Our Communicator Guides offers regular support on a one-to-one basis. A trained guide will visit someone with serious eyesight and hearing problems for an agreed number of hours a week.
The guide:
- helps to keep their client in touch with the local community
- enables them to gain access to written information and to keep in communication with other people
- helps with mobility by guiding so that personal and social needs can be fulfilled.
If you wish to make a complaint, compliment or comment about the service, you can contact the service manager at the Occupational Therapy Service or the Complaints unit by using the information below.